Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid 2021 Review - A Great Family SUV Gets Even Better
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- BUY, LEASE OR FINANCE A SUZUKI S-CROSS HYBRID FROM OSV: bit.ly/3qhHX8D
Suzuki's S-Cross compact SUV gains the brand's mild hybrid tech in uprated 48-volt form. And at the same time, also gains a fresh 'K14D'-series version of the company's 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine. The electrification claims to deliver a 20% running cost improvement but otherwise, the S-Cross recipe is much as before. So there's plenty of space for a crossover of this size, lots of kit for the money and, unusually in this class, the option of a proper lockable 4WD system in the top version.
Background
Electrification is a fact of automotive life these days and one day soon, every model from every brand will feature it in some way. For the moment though, only one manufacturer has applied electrified power to every car in its line-up and its identity might surprise you: Suzuki. This sounds all very forward-thinking but first you need to appreciate a few caveats. We're not talking about full-electric or plug-in models here; Suzuki doesn't have any of those. It doesn't even have a Prius-like full-Hybrid powertrain.
'Hybrid' in this case means what other brands call 'mild hybrid' technology. With this, unlike with those other forms of electrification, the car can't ever run on electric power alone at normal driving speeds. But harvested electrical energy can be used to marginally improve efficiency. The brand introduced this tech in 12-volt form back in 2016 with its little Swift and Ignis models. Now, it's uprated the system to 48-volt status and fitted it to its slightly larger cars, including the S-Cross compact SUV, which is our subject here.
Driving Experience
You may be familiar with the way that mild hybrid engines work but just in case not, here's a quick re-cap. Basically, energy that would otherwise be lost when braking or cruising off-throttle is harvested via a kinetic energy recovery system and sent to a small lithium-ion battery that here has been placed beneath the front passenger seat. This is used to drive a belt-driven 'ISG' unit (an 'Integrated Starter/Generator') and power the engine's stop/start system. Suzuki's old 12-volt mild hybrid package didn't do a lot more than that but this improved 48-volt set-up can also deliver a couple of other important benefits. The first is something quite unusual amongst current mild hybrids - the ability for this Suzuki to idle and even coast on full-electric power, though only below 10mph.
The other fresh benefit here is something supposed to be now quite common amongst mild hybrid models - the ability to 'torque-fill' under acceleration to compensate for turbo lag. Which is just as well because this S-Cross Hybrid's new 'K14D'-series 1.4-litre Boosterjet petrol engine has less power than the unit of the same size it replaces (127bhp rather than 138bhp), plus the car's electrified tech adds 65kgs of extra weight (in the case of the ALLGRIP 4WD version). But there's now more torque (up from 230 to 235Nm). The 62mph sprint takes 10.2 en route to 118mph. There's no longer an auto gearbox option. And that proper lockable ALLGRIP 4WD system is optional on the top-spec 'SZ5' variant.
Design and Build
There are no visual changes with this S-Cross model's switch to Hybrid power. It's been on sale since the end of 2013 and the version we have now is the model that was facelifted at the end of 2016. It remains a mid-sized 'Qashqai'-class SUV that's a little larger than the norm, 4,300mm in length but somewhat forgettable in looks. Suzuki has its similarly-sized but slightly more dynamically-styled Vitara SUV if that's an issue.
Inside, the generous 2,600mm wheelbase length frees up plenty of interior room (the 430-litre boot is one of the biggest in the class) and there's very decent rear seat space too. Though the bench doesn't slide, the backrest reclines though a choice of two angles. The twin sunroofs of the top SZ5 model do rob a few centimetres of headroom though.
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Would you buy a Suzuki S-Cross Hybrid?
Yes
Hi Pirrow, if you live in the UK, we're more than happy to get you behind the wheel of one! Get in touch here: bit.ly/39YHCml
Yes I have one already 2016 and for the price and in my eyes, the best car in it class, maybe some have better quality but it looks okay. Is big enough or small but not too small. Only think I really don't like is can't change gear from 2nd to 3rd gear below 2300 rpm. should be able change the gear if above 1500 rpm (automatic gearbox in manual mode).
jimny highbreed for me
I have one. Very good car. The locking mechanism is not good. Must be simplified! It was same prblm with the previous sx4 4x4. Just one touch to open all doors amd one touch to close all doors. Then i am wondering what is the use of « hybrid »… I have never felt any difference. Jist see a small white light when reducing speed. Is this serious or what? Tks
Best car reviews on the net!
Thanks Pirrow, appreciate the support! 👍
how come your front seat is different than a normal one?
You are not driving suzuki in video check the seats they are not from suzuki :D
You're right, it's not the same car. Good observation.
India spec S-Cross: Only 16" alloys, 12V Mild Hybrid, 1.5 K15B NA engine. Smaller boot. Seats not as good as on UK version. Seem like plastics look a little better also. An Automatic is offered here but its an old 5 Speed AT!
Agree bro , Even before we get 2wheel drive Ecosport , while other countries got 4x4 Ecosport , and now duster 4x4 discontinue..sad
I would question whether the extra complexity and weight of the mild Hybrid system is really worth the considerable extra cost - what are you really gaining? - a few mpg (marginal, as the reviewer put it) . In fact, I suggest it's really more of a sales gimmick than anything else.
All car manufacturers are trying to reduce their overall mean carbon dioxide emissions to comply with Euro regulations by offering these sale gimmicks as you call them.
@@menifo4334 The trouble is the more complicated the car the higher price and frequency of repair costs and the car may be more quickly scrapped. Many of the German cars now have ridiculously poor reliability and extremely high repair costs as shown on the reliability index. Personally I think simple cars are ideal for low mileage drivers they are much more environmentally friendly. Whatever though you need to weigh up how making a car more complicated and unreliable may actually cause more pollution for various reasons.
Good review
Bit undecided on the way it looks, thought the previous model looked better and could have been made to look sharper.
Did you say no Auto? Can't see them selling very well in Australia, most of us are to idle to change gear. LOL We buy very few manuals
Need this S-cross in India Also
We hope it makes it over to India soon, Utkarsh!
Love british reviews... only problem is to mirror driver seat))
Thank you for watching, Alex! Be sure to subscribe for the latest reviews: bit.ly/319ZKoT
Reminds me of a mistibitshi
Where's the 7th airbag located?
Driver's knees
Here they are not offering sunroof, 4x4 🙄.boot space he says more the. 400L its 340L
And Suzuki can do all of the above, but they can't fit a digital speedo.
Thank Goodness!
No auto !!! why?.
In The Netherlands it is available (again) since the beginning of March...